The Carretera Austral North

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After a few days of intermittent rain, I’m happy to see perfect blue skies when I begin moving North from Villa O’Higgins. My fishing gear is all-but useless, so I camp with a hardcore Dutch fisherman, and together we cook a fresh brown trout in the coals of our campfire – possibly the best “camping” meal of the trip.

Looking out over Villa O'Higgins

Lago General Carrera

I meander my way North, camping in road-side pullouts and exploring tiny local villages as I go. Arriving in Chaitén I can’t believe the level of destruction caused by a volcanic eruption three years earlier. Locals explain it wasn’t so much the eruption itself (though that did produce enormous amounts of ash), but more-so the re-direction of the river that washed away half of the town. So much sand and ash washed down that the “beachfront” is now 500 meters back from the original line. Woah.

Country living

Rivers and mountains

I camp within site of the volcano, still spewing smoke, though heavy rain in the morning prevents me from hiking closer. Maybe that’s for the better.

Mountains of the Austral

Attempt at The Southern Cross

For my last night on the Austral I camp at the hot spring of Termas de Amarillo, soaking long into the night and chatting with locals and ex-pats alike.

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5 Responses

Amazing! You’re in one of the most beatiful places in Chile. Keep going north… Coyhaique is lovely, Chiloé really magic, and Puerto Varas and Valdivia, maybe my favorites cities of the south (Well, I really liked Punta Arenas last year). Let me know if you’re coming to Santiago. Cheers! Lore

Hey Gerlof, I was wondering if you could not buy fuel down there….
Gil and I made our way North enjoying roadside camping the entire time.
Enjoy Patagonia, I’m sure you will.
Thanks again for the great night & dinner!
-Dan

Same to you guys! Was a pleasure meeting you both. You dont know how much respect and admirage i have for people like you….the world is full of non-interesting, hard working , making good money idiots who dont know that there clock is counting on and on!! Live your life now! Your one of my examples my friend!!! btw fishing is awesome!!

CURRENT AFRICA EXPEDITION:CURRENTLY IN: The DRCAFRICA MILES DRIVEN: 17,778EXPEDITION DAYS: COUNTRIES VISITED: 16
The trip will take about two years, through about 30 countries, and cover approx. 80,000 miles.Read More: Africa Expedition Overview

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Dan is an outdoor adventure kind of guy who believes dreams are meant to be lived.
I've set out to drive my Jeep Wrangler 80,000 miles in a circumnavigation of the African continent, solo. Read the announcement
Here on The Road Chose Me you can read all about my ongoing adventure, see my photos and watch my videos.

You can also read back through my 40,000 mile, 22 month adventure in a Jeep Wrangler through 17 countries from Alaska to Argentina.